Archive for December, 2011

Liberal Leader Bob Rae sponsors event to show support for pulmonary hypertension community

OTTAWA, Nov. 29, 2011 /CNW/ – Lending a hand is a concept with which most Canadians are familiar. But when it comes to pulmonary hypertension (PH), a rare lung disease that is often misdiagnosed, the majority of Canadians are less informed. That’s why this November, PH Awareness Month, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canadais inviting Canadians to help raise awareness and LEND A HAND for PH.

Throughout November, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada has been inviting Canadians to help raise awareness and LEND A HAND for PH by signing a handprint with a message of hope at events across the country, and virtually on its Facebook page and website. The handprints are being presented on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, November 29th to show support for Canadians living with PH, while also bringing hope to the one in 12 Canadians who live with a rare disease.

This event is sponsored by the Honourable Bob Rae, Leader of the Liberal Party, and will feature both a respirologist and patient living with PH. Guests and federal MPs will also be invited to sign handprints with their messages of hope.

The LEND A HAND event will feature:

Dr. George Chandy, a respirologist who will discuss the signs and symptoms of PH and resources available to patients

Jo-Anne Mainwood, an Ottawa resident living with PH, and PH support group leader, who will share her inspiring story

The Honourable Bob Rae, Liberal Leader, will speak about the importance of raising awareness about rare diseases like PH

Frank Poon, President of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association if Canada, who will discuss how PH has affected up to 10,000 Canadians